Free Lady Isobel's Champion by Carol Townend

had no idea why she supposed Elise might know the answer to that last question, save instinct. Elise was no innocent.
    The nuns at St Foye’s Convent, while elaborating on the wifely duties, had been silent on the more carnal aspects of marriage. It was not surprising. How could nuns who lived chastely know of such things? Carnal experiences were forbidden to them. The sisters had made up for their lack of experience in that area by speaking most eloquently on the importance of a wife denying herself. A wife must—they insisted—put her husband first in all things. Denial was their watchword.
    When Isobel had asked her mother, Lady Maude, about what happened in the marriage bed, her mother had simply reiterated what the nuns had said. Lady Maude had gone out of her way to place a strong emphasis on duty. Duty.
    Her mother spoke of duty; the nuns of denial. But being lectured on duty and denial didn’t answer Isobel’s questions. She must know everything. She had no wish to die in childbirth as her mother had done. More knowledge was essential.
    Particularly since, having kissed Lucien, it was clear that she and her betrothed were attracted to each other. His touch made her weak. It made her think most unladylike thoughts. Before seeing him again in the Abbey lodge, Isobel had assumed it would be easy to keep him at bay. The kiss in the Black Boar had proved her wrong. It wouldn’t be easy to deny him. That kiss... Surreptitiously, she fingered her mouth. The feelings Lucien had evoked—the thoughts...
    Duty had been the last thing on her mind. And as for denial...
    Was it possible that Anna’s experience in the marriage bed would not be hers?
    Smothering a sigh, Isobel glanced at Elise. Never mind that she was unused to broaching such matters, she would open on neutral ground...
    ‘Elise, have you lived long in Troyes?’
    ‘Only a few months, my lady.’
    Isobel formed a couple of stitches and waited, hoping Elise would enlarge. When it became clear that Elise was not in a talkative mood, she tried again. ‘What is it like when the Winter Fair begins in earnest?’
    Elise’s needle flashed as she worked the border. ‘This is the first time I have been in Troyes at the close of the year, my lady. I imagine it becomes as busy as it does during the Summer Fair.’ Briefly, she lifted her head. ‘In the summer, the town is a bear garden.’
    ‘It is hard to imagine it busier than it was yesterday.’
    ‘It will be. At times the streets are almost impassable.’
    Isobel made an encouraging noise, and watched Elise set a few more stitches. Then she said, ‘When we have finished this section of cloth, I should like to go out again. There are quarters of the town I have yet to explore.’
    That got her attention. Elise looked up, frowning. ‘Is that wise, my lady? It is probably best to follow Abbess Ursula’s advice and remain here, particularly with your father’s escort at the barracks. It’s not long until Winter’s Eve. Once you are married I am sure Lord d’Aveyron will give you all the escorts you need.’
    Isobel rethreaded her needle with gold thread. ‘I confess...’ she spoke slowly, feeling her way ‘...to feeling apprehensive about my forthcoming marriage.’
    Elise shot her a look and returned her attention to the altar cloth. ‘You have been betrothed to the Count for some years. He is very personable, and far more reasonable than I had expected—’
    Isobel went still. ‘You have heard Count Lucien is unreasonable?’
    Elise’s cheeks went as bright as poppies. ‘I... My apologies, my lady, I spoke out of turn.’
    ‘If you have heard something, I should be grateful if you would tell me...’
    Vehemently, Elise shook her head. ‘I am sorry, my lady. I have heard nothing.’
    The clouds shifted across the sky. Elise squirmed and finally met Isobel’s gaze. ‘About your marriage, my lady. I pray that all will be well. I have seen no sign of cruelty in Count Lucien.’
    Isobel’s eyes